Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) What is Radiculopathy (RP)? The spine is made up of many bones called vertebrae. In addition, the spinal cord runs through a canal in the center of these bones. From this cord, nerve roots split and travel between the spinal bones and various parts of the body. When these nerves become damaged or pinched, the resulting condition…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Pinched Nerve Symptoms & Treatment Options Why is a pinched nerve such a common occurrence? Our spine houses some of the most important nerves in our body. It provides the major highways and off-ramps that allow our brain to communicate with the rest of the body. These crucial nerves include the spinal cord, which travels…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Pediatric Spine Symptoms & Treatment Options A number of different spinal conditions can affect babies, children, and adolescents. Whether a condition is present from birth, develops as they get older, or is caused by a traumatic injury or disease, it can be a challenging experience for both the child and their parent. The…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Osteoporosis Symptoms & Treatment Options Osteoporosis occurs when the bones that make up your skeletal system, spine, and joints become porous and frail. While this disease often affects older women, any adult—and even some children—can experience this degenerative condition. Remember: Your bones are not a static part of…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Osteoarthritis: Symptoms & Treatment Options Osteoarthritis (or OA) occurs when the joints that connect our bones begin to break down. A joint is a point of articulation where two bones meet to create movement. Because we rely on our joints constantly to perform our everyday tasks, OA can cause chronic discomfort. Also…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Kyphosis: Symptoms & Treatment Options In the large cluster of spinal deformities, kyphosis is regarded as the most common type—edging out even scoliosis 2:1. An abnormal, forward curvature of the thoracic spine distinguishes this condition from other spinal deformities. (Scoliosis, for example, involves an abnormal, lateral…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Facet Joint Pain Symptoms & Treatment Options Maintaining optimal flexibility of the spine is a crucial aspect of being able to perform our daily activities without pain. The health of our facet joints dictates this flexibility. Lining the backside of our spine, our facet joints enable bending, twisting, and flexing the torso.…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Bone Spur Symptoms & Treatment Options Bone spurs are bony growths that develop in response to inflammation caused by bone degeneration. Found widely in middle-to-older-aged adults, bone spurs occur in and around the joints of the body. As the body ages, a normal degree of wear and tear occurs. Not surprisingly, this wear…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Back & Neck Pain Symptoms & Treatment Options According to the National Institute of Health, over 80% of adults will experience back pain at some point during their lifetimes. Furthermore, we can attribute more call-outs and lost productivity at work to back pain than to any other physical disability. Even worse still,…

Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion (ACDF) Annular Tear Symptoms & Treatment Options Annular tears can have symptoms that are very similar to bulging or herniated discs. However, disc tears do not usually produce symptoms unless the outer area of the disc is damaged or a spinal nerve becomes pinched. is the cause of my pain? Try Our Patient Symptom Quiz…